Noah Helps France Secure Olympic Bid, Silver Medal at FIBA EuroBasket
Monday, September 19, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Past Gator star Joakim Noah helped France to an Olympic berth with a silver medal finish in the FIBA EuroBasket 2011 tournament in Lithuania. Noah appeared in nine of the team's 10 games during the event, averaging 9.0 points and a team-leading 8.0 rebounds as France compiled an 8-2 record and matched its best finish in the history of the European Olympic qualifier (1949).
Noah led the team in rebounds eight times throughout EuroBasket and becomes the second Gator whose national team has qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games (David Lee, USA).
Al Horford (Dominican Republic) and Nick Calathes (Greece) remain alive for a bid, as well, with both of their teams finishing well enough in regional qualifying to grab a spot in next summer's 12-team international qualifier that will produce the final three Olympic bids. The Dominican Republic earned bronze at the FIBA Americas tournament, while Greece finished sixth at EuroBasket.
France at FIBA EuroBasket 2011
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Noah Pts/Reb |
| First Round | ||||
| Aug. 31 | Latvia | W | 89-78 | 10/7* |
| Sept. 1 | Israel | W | 85-68 | 9/9* |
| Sept. 2 | Germany | W | 76-65 | 8/7* |
| Sept. 4 | Italy | W | 91-84 | 10/7* |
| Sept. 5 | Serbia | W/OT | 97-96 | 14/9* |
| Second Round | ||||
| Sept. 7 | Turkey | W | 68-64 | 7/4 |
| Sept. 9 | Lithuania | W | 73-67 | 9/13* |
| Sept. 11 | Spain | L | 69-96 | DNP |
| Quarterfinals | ||||
| Sept. 15 | Greece | W | 64-56 | 5/8* |
| Semifinals | ||||
| Sept. 16 | Russia | W | 79-71 | 7/8* |
| Gold Medal game | ||||
| Sept. 18 | Spain | L | 85-98 | 11/8* |
*Led team
